Deciding on the Best Women's Probiotic Supplement

The popularity of probiotic supplements has grown rapidly in recent years as the potential for these supplements continue to support digestive health as they become more widely understood. Unlike the majority of ‘miracle’ products, probiotics are not a passing fad. The science of probiotics stands true. From aiding in digestive issues and supporting the immune system, to promoting mental clarity and mood, the myriad benefits of taking a daily probiotic supplement has been researched and found to be scientifically sound. That leads into the questions: How are probiotics for women different? What are the best probiotics for women? While people of all ages and sexes can take probiotics, research shows that there are specific benefits that women can derive from incorporating a daily probiotic supplement into their routine. After all, twice as many women suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as men, and common female health issues such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) and yeast infections can be combated through the use of probiotics to improve reproductive and vaginal health. But once you've decided that a probiotic could help you improve your overall health, how do you go about finding the best probiotic supplement for you and the challenges you face as a woman? Whether you are expecting a child, are a new mother, have entered menopause, or want to support your reproductive, digestive, or immune health, probiotics can help ease a number of issues that are unique to women. Viability, an effective delivery system and the right mix of probiotic strains are key components of high-quality probiotics for women. Finding the right probiotic for you begins with choosing a supplement that is intended to help tackle individual health concerns. At LoveBug Probiotics, we understand that every woman is different and desires different results from their probiotic supplement. That's why we've created a variety of formulas aimed at addressing the wide range of women's health concerns.

How Probiotic Supplements Work

There are many probiotic supplements on the market, but not all are created equal. The presence of certain characteristics can help make a particular supplement more effective than others — particularly for women and their unique set of health concerns.

Effectiveness

Viability is one of the most important components of any effective probiotic. In other words, the beneficial active cultures in a probiotic supplement need to be delivered into the digestive tract live in order to be effective. Indeed, scientific research supports the principle that probiotics with a high number of viable organisms are more effective at conferring health benefits than non-viable probiotics.

Deliverability

The particular delivery system that a probiotic supplement uses is also key to its success. However, many viable strains are included in an undigested probiotic, protecting these beneficial microorganisms as they pass through the harsh environment of the digestive system is key to reaping their benefits. Indeed, studies have found that the effectiveness of a probiotic delivery system to protect its beneficial bacterial strains against intestinal bile and other physiological conditions in the gut is key to the supplement's success.

BIO-tract® Technology

All LoveBug probiotics incorporate our patented time-release coating called BIO-tract® technology, scientifically proven to have 15x more survivability than standard veggie capsules and powders. That means 15x as many of our colony forming units (CFUs) make it past your stomach acid barrier and deep into your gastrointestinal tract (which is where your microbiome lives!).

Strains

To be most effective, a probiotic supplement also needs to include the right makeup of beneficial microbiota strains. Scientific research confirms that a number of types of good bacteria used in probiotic supplements can provide health benefits for the user—but different strains of probiotics have different effects. Indeed, the most effective probiotics should be formulated to address the individual's particular health issues. Research confirms that certain probiotic strains are more effective at treating certain diseases than others. In short, an effective probiotic is one that is designed to address your specific health concerns. LoveBug Probiotics’ supplements for women are designed to boost optimal health while combating women-specific issues.

Need for Women's Probiotics

So let’s talk about why probiotics are beneficial for women. When it comes to women's probiotics, digestive health is just one of the many benefits you stand to reap. In a utopian world, women could have maintained optimum health levels simply by eating right. However, today, the food you eat is full of preservatives, added flavors and coloring agents, genetic modifications, and toxins. In addition, you also have to contend with environmental dangers and the side-effects of prescribed medications. All of these factors can and do cause an imbalance in your gut. Probiotics support the daily functioning of a healthy gut bacterial population, boost your immunity, and help your body produce vitamins that are essential for the good health and well-being of every woman. Here are a few ways in which probiotics support women’s health.

Reduce UTIs & Yeast Infections

Lowered Risk of Chronic Yeast Infections and Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Yeast infections and UTIs are commonplace conditions faced by women. These infections are generally painful, and more than enough to throw your week out of whack. The vaginal environment is naturally acidic, and this is what helps create an area that is hostile to all kinds of infectious bacteria. An imbalance in this pH level extends an invitation to yeast microbes and other harmful bacteria. When it comes to yeast infections and UTIs, prevention is better than cure. Probiotics that support the health of your vaginal environment can help to balance the vaginal flora system, thereby lowering the risk of these conditions.

Probiotics are Good for the Health of the Urinary Tract

Medically, the way to deal with yeast infections and UTIs is to take a course of antibiotics. In this case, the cure causes problems of its own because antibiotics kill healthy bacteria along with the harmful bacteria. In case you have been taking antibiotics for any reason, probiotics help combat the negative effects on your gut flora by repopulating the colonies of beneficial bacteria razed by the antibiotics.

Yeast is a Beast

So many women battle chronic yeast and urinary tract infections—and as common as these infections are, they can seriously limit your ability to live your life. That's why we created our Yeast is a Beast supplement. Its Lactobacillus bacteria strains can help lower vaginal pH, reducing the risk of yeast infection; the inclusion of our trademarked Cran-Gyn™ cranberry extract helps limit the growth of bad bacterial strains that lead to UTIs and yeast infections. 5 Targeted Strains include: L. plantarum, L. gasseri, L. fermentum, L. reuteri, L. brevis. Slay the Beast!

Increase Weight Loss & Metabolism

Probiotics aid weight loss and improve metabolic rates

There are few things more frustrating than being unable to lose those extra pounds. Other than eating healthy and making time for daily exercise, there is something else you can do to speed up your metabolic rate and maintain your healthiest weight – add a daily probiotic supplement to your diet. Research indicates a direct link between weight loss and management, and good gut health. Beneficial bacterial strains such as  L acidophilus, L. fermentum, L. gasseri, L. rhamnosus, and B. lactis are a few of the many probiotics that aid overall weight loss.

Here's the Skinny

Many women struggle with weight loss, and our Here's the Skinny probiotic can help support microbiome diversity, metabolic function, and weight loss efforts. At the same time, if you suffer from frequent upset stomach sensations or even IBS symptoms (more common in women), this supplement can be a life-saver! Here's the Skinny helps aid in digestive function, energy levels, and overall mood to support whole-body wellness. 8 Targeted Strains include: L. fermentum, L. plantarum, L. acidophilus, B. bifidum, B. lactis, L. reuteri, L. rhamnosus GG, L. gasseri. Here's the Skinny is what I need!

Mental Benefits

Improved mental clarity, mood, and energy

Fluctuating hormones are the nemesis of pretty much every woman, especially during PMS, pregnancy, and menopause. Probiotics positively influence the gut-brain axis which has a direct impact on your emotional wellbeing. A microbiome that is full to the brim with friendly bacteria is the key to hormonal balance. Studies show that probiotics help harmonize the production and functioning of hormones like the stress hormone cortisol, and serotonin which is also known as the happiness chemical.

Menopause

Probiotics help in combating osteoporosis following menopause

Menopause comes with a not-so-fun list of symptoms and side-effects including night sweats, frequent mood swings, hot flashes, insomnia, slower metabolism, and weight gain. Another important problem that crops up in the five years following the onset of menopause is the loss of bone density. Research shows that women are more likely to experience about 20% of a drop in bone density, on an average. This loss puts you at a much higher risk of developing osteoporosis which is a condition that lends itself to a number of serious conditions like broken hips or other bones. Studies indicate that the right probiotic supplements can slow down this bone density loss post-menopause onset, thereby, reducing the risk of developing osteoporosis.

Great for Pregnant Mom & Baby

Probiotics are allies of expectant mothers, new mothers, and their infants

An infant’s gut microbiome begins developing while it is still in utero. During a vaginal birth, the child’s gut system receives scores of beneficial bacteria from the mother’s vaginal tract. The mother’s system can only give what it already has, which makes it incredibly important for expectant mothers to have a healthy and thriving bacterial microbiome. Studies also show that breastfeeding is responsible for about 30% of the child’s gut bacteria. Probiotics like B. infantis help a baby combat a number of serious conditions, seals the developing gut, and bestows anti-inflammatory benefits. Our Tiny Tummies probiotic supplements for babies also includes the B. infantis strain among others to continue to support your babies' health after birth. I wish I had known all this before I gave birth for the first time! Here's my full account of what I wish I had known about antibiotics and my baby's microbiome before I gave birth if you're interested.

Labor of Love

It's no secret that expectant and nursing mothers have unique needs; after all, that's why women are encouraged to take a prenatal vitamin and increase the balance of healthy foods in their diet after finding out that they're pregnant. Our Labor of Love probiotic is intended to nurture both mom and baby's health even further by helping improve nutrient absorption, boost digestive function and reduce constipation; the addition of 250 mcg of folate helps offer further protection against serious birth defects. 8 Targeted Strains include: B infantis, L. reuteri, L. plantarum, B. bifidum, L. rhamnosus GG, L. acidophilus, L. fermentum, B. lactis. Learn more about our Labor of Love probiotic supplement formulated to support pregnant and nursing mothers. I'm growing a human + want to learn more!

Strengthen Your Immunity

Colds, the flu, and other viruses and infections can wreak havoc on the immune system, and the negative impact of antibiotics just makes things worse for your long-term health. Probiotics support the immune system, especially important when the body is stressed fighting off the bad bugs.

Colds Suck

Colds do indeed suck: days or weeks spent drained of energy, coughing and sneezing are tough for any woman who needs to get things done. We've designed our Colds Suck probiotic supplement works to support the immune system function while including a range of immune-boosting vitamins to complement our carefully-chosen probiotic strains. 4 Targeted Strains include: L. plantarum, B. bifidum, L. rhamnosus GG, L. salivarius. Spread love not germs

LoveBug Advantage

Each LoveBug Probiotics product has one fundamental similarity: their formulation is deeply rooted in scientific research aimed at producing the most effective results possible. From the daily use supplements for women to specific probiotics for women pre and post-pregnancy, LoveBug Probiotics’ tablets are shown to have 15x more survivability than standard capsules. All of our probiotics are also perfect for those with food sensitivities/allergies, lactose intolerance, or gluten intolerance as they are allergen-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, and more—basically none of the bad stuff and only the good bugs to get you back on track (full details can be found on any of our product descriptions). Whether you are an expectant mother looking to support your baby's immune system or a chronic yeast infection sufferer looking to alleviate your symptoms, we invite you to add them to your daily supplement regime to experience their effectiveness yourself.
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